Cindy's feeling vulnerable to begin. Michelle tells her that she wouldn't have been in the bottom if there weren't teams, which is a very nice lie. Heidi greets them wearing what Amanda made for the last challenge. She tells everyone that they are keeping the same teams. I like that. They meet Tim at Spin NYC, which is co-owned by Susan Sarandon and her freaking hot baby boyfriend. It's a ping-pong place. They are going to create new looks for the employees. Brandon Hirsch is the General Manager and it seems a little odd that a ping-pong bar would have the hottest employees in NYC, but there you go. Tim tells them that each team will make three female looks and two male looks, which excites Michelle. That makes me like her.
They start by having to wait tables. It doesn't really go well. Tu drops multiple glasses. They talk to other employees about what they might like to wear. Benjamin takes a lead in his group. Matt decides to make some jeans, because he's frankly uninspired by the challenge. Benjamin hovers over Cindy at Mood, which chaps her hide. Joseph Aaron Segal finally gets to talk and the production totally throws shade at him when he says that he's sold "like a thousand" of these sweaters that he redesigns. Meaning he has taken in $78,000. Apparently, that's not something to brag about? Whatever.
They start working and it's really fascinating watching them work together because they have to verbalize what they are thinking. Daniel says that he would marry Layana if he were straight, but I feel like there's a little shade there as well. Benjamin and Cindy are working together and she is getting really frustrated with being micromanaged. He apologizes but he explains that he is only trying to be supportive. Michelle thinks that Cindy is being too sensitive. A screenprinter comes in and that's cool. Tim consults and seems to be happy with Amanda, Daniel and Layana of Team Keeping It Real. There's some drama with Patricia because she is worried about not having designed enough -- she's just making leggings. He tells her to get over herself.
Dream Team presents to Tim and he likes what Michelle is doing. He is not fond of the jeans that Matt is thinking of. They joke about making a kilt and Tim tells him to go with it. He also doesn't think that Ben's top and Cindy's jacket belong together (I disagree, if that's worth anything). He also hates James's shirt and thinks that she should scrap it. Michelle wonders if Ben should focus on himself a little bit instead of on everyone else. To be fair, that's what he did during the last challenge and it didn't help.
The models come in for their fittings and they are all beautiful. The day of the challenge, Dream Team really works hard together. Susan Sarandon and her breasts are the guest judges. Dream Team's stuff ends up being kinda rad, if you ask me. Team Keeping It Real goes and they are really good as well. I kind of like it all. Team Keeping It Real wins again! The top three looks are Layana/Daniel, Stanley (which is awesome) and Richard/Joe. The bottom three are James, Ben/Cindy and Ben/Matt. For the record, I like all of these. Layana ends up being the winner of the challenge. The bottom two are Cindy and James. Cindy...is in. Again. James is out.
Previously: The new season of designers found out that all of their challenges will be team-related. Team Keeping It Real won the challenge. David won the first challenge and was delighted. Emily, James and Cindy were in the bottom and Emily got sent home for sending the most unfinished garment in Project Runway history down the runway.
How embarrassing is it that Emily, the first person ousted, is in the credits saying, "If you work with me, you better be good"? Apparently, they weren't good enough to lift your team's score so that you weren't eligible for elimination. I would be mortified if I had to watch myself say that after I'd been kicked off. The first kicked off. That seems like the nightmare, right? You've left your job and home, probably done your best not to sound a little braggy when you told people you were going to be on Project Runway- or maybe not. What if you employed the humblebrag, where you drop your accomplishment in such a humble way that you are not only covert in dropping your brag ["I look like a hobo in all of my pants because they're too big"- that's a really good one (that's a full-on brag brag)] but are also sort of bragging squared because your humility is impressive as well ("Sometimes, you just want to send regrets to all of the invites and just cuddle up at home with your beautiful life")? Either way, there is no real way to avoid a little shame at being the first eliminated, as far as I can see it.
It's morning at the Atlas Building and Matt says that being on the losing team was brutal. He is sorry that Emily left and that no one from their team helped her before it was too late. The guys are gathered around the beds and Daniel offers that at least they know what to expect now. Matt adds that they can learn from the mistakes of others and Daniel tells him that was a good one. I like Daniel. He's peculiar and positive, which is maybe my favorite combination in a person. Sometimes the peculiar turns into crazy, which I'm not so much a fan of, but people who march to the beat of the their own drummer are generally pretty OK by me.
In the ladies' apartment, Cindy is putting on her face and says that she needs to stop feeling like she got run over by a truck and get her head back in the game. Michelle tells her that she wouldn't have been in the bottom if all sixteen designers had been judged separately. She keeps persisting with that logic, much like believing that she would have won the competition if they had all been judged on their own, but it's just not true. Cindy's was certainly one of the bottom three looks. In fact, I think that Michelle's look would have only had a chance at making top three had her team won the challenge. Overall, she was maybe high middle of the pack. But, Cindy's was pretty bad. In fact, the badness of the bottom three designs on the Dream Team were, I believe, what dictated the team placement in the first place. Cindy interviews that the thrill of working on teams is gone. She feels that the other designers see her as the weak link and it makes her nervous.
In the other dude apartment, James says that Richard told him that he needs to just move on and forget about the last challenge. Benjamin agrees with that approach. James interviews that he didn't do so well in the first challenge. His take-away was that he should be more greedy as a team member and just worry about himself. Hmm. What exactly did he do to help others that distracted him from his own, pretty bad, work? Maybe he's just talking about the design aspect? He would go in his own direction and not let the group dictate as much of what he did?
At the runway, Heidi greets all of the designers, wearing slacks and a loose top that really resemble what Amanda made for the challenge last week. She has topped it off with a little tuxedo jacket. It's cute. She congratulates them for making it through the first challenge. She tells them that they will remain in the same teams for this challenge. DOOM MUSIC. Cindy looks around and interviews that she believes her team members are silently panicking. James says that he still likes his team and rationalizes that the weakest link is out. But, that makes you the weakest link. Not a good position to be in, though I guess it's better to be confident in these situations than not. Stanley, who is rocking a bit of an early-'80s art school look that is the jam, says that he is confident with his team and feels that it is stocked with some really good designers. She reminds Dream Team that they only have seven designers because they lost one in the last challenge. Thanks for that, Heidi.
Then, accompanied by some super jazzy music, Heidi says that she hopes the designers are ready for the challenge, because it's going to be a "ball." Amanda interviews her guesses- ball gown or athletic wear. She thinks that both would really suck. The mannequins behind her are like, "It's only just begun, Mandy. Get used to things sucking. Also, get used to bags under your eyes and borderline IBS. This fun house only gets funner." Heidi says that Tim and a guest will meet them at 23rd Street and Park Avenue to give them the details. She wishes them luck and tells them that she will see them back on the runway.
, we see the designers at Spin New York. OK, this is gonna be fun. That's the ping-pong place. This hottie standing with Tim identified as Brandon Hirsch, General Manager of SPiN NYC (somebody got money for thinking of the little "i"), says that they are the preeminent ping-pong social club in the city and they are taking over America. So, this is some sort of alien invasion. And, fashion designers are supposed to save us. We're doomed. We see footage of people playing ping-pong at the club, including a leggy model in a super-chic ensemble. Frankly, she looks ridiculous. There's a DJ. Of course there's a DJ. Tim VO's that SPiN is the newest concept in nightlife, dining and entertainment. It's owned by Susan Sarandon (and her super young cute boyfriend) and Tim says that it attracts a lot of "A-listers". Daniel thinks that the idea of ping-pong social clubs is outside of the norm and jokes that they only have guns in Texas. Well, he's from Austin and if these guys are taking over America, my bet is that Austin would at least be like the third or fourth market that they would try to break into, with Seattle, San Francisco and Portland. At least, those seem like the most intuitive places to me.
Brandon says that the uniforms at SPiN are currently lacking. He holds up a simple drab t-shirt with the club's logo on the front. They're looking to change them. Tim says that the challenge is to create new SPiN server and ball boy uniforms. They need to be fashionable, fun and upbeat. Michelle says that she is looking forward to this challenge. Brandon reminds them that their slogan is "balls are our business." I like hearing him say that. Patricia apparently does as well. Her eyes grow to the size of saucers. Brandon says that they would like for the ball boy uniform to incorporate the slogan. Tim adds that each team will create five looks. There will be three female models and two male models. Michelle goes "Ooh," which frankly makes me like her a little. I feel like she's trying to lead a lot with personality and it feels a little forced, but this little moment feels organic and, frankly, if I were on Project Runway, I would think that handling a model you were attracted to would be one of the perks, especially when their business is balls. God, that's creepy, but I KNOW I'm not the only one who feels that way. Everyone starts laughing at Michelle's outburst and she laughs and fans herself and says sorry. Each team will have a budget of $500 and a day to finish the challenge. Brandon, who I imagine wears sunglasses indoors a lot and yet I don't hate him -- I mean, some people can just own that, says that the winning designs will be used in their locations across the country. Well, that sounds like fun. Samantha thinks that having your design at Susan Sarandon's club would be a great ad for them as designers.
Then, things get weird. Brandon "thinks" that it would be a good idea for the designers to work at the club before they design the uniforms. I guess there is something useful about that. Tu explains that his parents own a restaurant, so he should be pretty good at this, right? The first thing we see is him dropping beers on the floor. Then, he interviews that this is a little bit different. The ball boys go around and retrieve the ping pong balls that are no longer in play. Amanda finds the work rigorous and announces that she is glistening. Joseph or Joe -- I'm not sure what we're supposed to call him yet -- says that it's important for them to work there so that they can see what the needs of the uniforms are. The mannequins are like, "This ain't the DMV- why is your entire name on the bottom of the screen? What do we CALL you?" We see the designers asking the employees some questions about their uniforms. One girl is really noncommittal about whether or not she likes blazers. Shady. One girl tells Benjamin that the important thing for skirts is that they be long enough to hide their balls, even though that is their business. Amanda asks a guy if he would like a button-down and he says no. However, he looks like he probably would like the current uniform more than anything so why are we even asking him what he likes? There's a really quick shot of some more spillage and then we're done with this little exercise.
Benjamin tells his team that he has worked in a high-end restaurant as a host and he has done uniforms for that restaurant. So, he's GOT this. Obviously, none of the other people on his team have done anything similar at all, because no one thinks to ask the question, "Where? Just so I can Google that when this whole thing is done." Some people say high-end when they mean self-serious or popular or even expensive, in regards to restaurants. A restaurant being high-end is actually fairly clinical. There are specific things that are sort of required. That being said, SPiN may be scene-y but it is not high-end. You're eating turkey wraps on sofas while drunk people are playing ping-pong. Those people playing may be gorgeous models or dudes on SNL, but that doesn't make it high-end. And, there. I've given it to you, a condensed version of what I've really learned in NYC as a struggling artist. How to identify a high-end restaurant. I couldn't be sadder. Benjamin explains that he is a natural-born leader, but he's conscious of when that leadership is welcome or not. He's going to trust his intuition and hopefully not step on any toes. The mannequins are like, "Could someone turn the lights on? Oh, you're worried about washing out Powder over there? Fine." And, hold the phone, James is wearing some seriously jacked jeans. Black and white tie-dye? No.
After their training test, Tim asks them how it was and Patricia says that she got fired. Brandon smiles. That's going to be the name of my album. Tim tells them that they will have a half-hour to meet as teams and sketch, then he sets them free. Team Keeping It Real begins and Kate suggests that they sketch then discuss, so that they will have the purest ideas on the table. She interviews that this is the first time that the teamwork element has really come into play, since they have to collaborate as eight designers on five looks. The team presents their ideas and they sort of "yea" and "nay" as they go along.
Dream Team is divvying up the responsibilities and Cindy reminds everyone that the ball boy said that they like to wear jeans. Matt says that he will make the pants. He interviews that he started his career in the dance world, then moved to painting and now he is in fashion design. So, he says that he has an artist's heart. Well, he better give that back. He says that he responds to music and pop culture and street culture. Designing a uniform is none of those things, so he's not inspired. Therefore, he chooses the boring pants to make, just so he can help out. Cindy is going to make a jacket and suggests that someone else make a top to go with it, because she doesn't think the one that she would make would be sexy enough. Benjamin says that he will make them, then sort of puts his hand on Cindy's shoulder in a way that suggests to me that he was trying to tell her to shut up because HE is the born leader on this team. It's funny how people confuse being born a leader with being a bossy person or a know-it-all. You can't really lead without the cooperation of others, otherwise you are just marching along by yourself. People have to decide for themselves whether to follow you or not. Right now, I'm wondering if only the television-viewing audience is privy to Benjamin's skills as a "born leader." James explains what part of the project he is taking on and Cindy asks him if he will have time for all of that. He seems really confident. He interviews that, especially since he's doing the menswear portion, this will be a breeze. The mannequins are like, "Dude, what's with the hands? You landing a plane over there?" You see, James was using his hands a lot during the interview. The mannequins are sensitive to overt displays of arms.
There's a screen printer, Paul Bildner, on the premises. Since the logo has to be incorporated into all of the designs. He's there to help with that. That's really cool. Patricia is going to make her slogan glow. Patricia is worried because the judges told her during the last challenge that they would like to see more construction in her designs and a pair of pants don't show that. As Daniel is trying to offer her solutions, she kind of snaps at him and he interviews that Patricia is a little defensive, which won't work in this environment.
Tim comes in for a consultation and starts with Team Keeping It Real. That name doesn't get any less stupid the more I type it. Daniel and Layana explain their design and seem really excited. Daniel has this weird conceptual shape for his vest that is based on the ping-pall ball trajectory while in play. It's very esoteric, but the actual design looks nice. Tim doesn't reveal being confused, but I think he is. The team says that they are on board with what the two are doing. Stanley interviews essentially that Daniel is good, but not as good as him. It's only been a week, boys. Let's chill with that behavior for just a while longer. He is doing a look for a male server and he is working on the look alone. Richard and Joe are designing for the ball boy. Richard explains that he noticed the ball boys losing their stick/net thing that they use to pick up the balls, so they've designed a little back harness for the ball catcher. Balls. I don't know if I was able to mention those things enough. Balls. Amanda is making a look with fabric traditionally used for swimwear, which Tim finds clever. Patricia explains her design to Tim and it takes forever. Tim senses that she is worrying about herself instead of the team. He calls it "ego." Ouch. The team agrees with Tim and she seems unhappy with the criticism. I'm not sure anything got into her head though.
Dream Team's presentation begins with Michelle. Everyone loves what she's doing. Matt and Ben, heh, are working together. Matt says that they are doing the ball boy. Then, he corrects himself. They're doing the uniform for the ball boy, not the ball boy himself. Cheeky monkey. Tim doesn't understand why Matt is making jeans, since they are fairly ubiquitous. They joke about making a kilt and Tim says that he thinks it's interesting. Tim thinks that Cindy's jacket is beautifully made, but he thinks that Benjamin's punk top is a wackadoodle companion piece. Michelle is nervous about being on the bottom again.
Hair and make-up happens. There's Scott Patric, hot make-up daddy, doing his thang. Stanley ends up decided to make an adjustment to his look right before Tim walks in. In fact, he takes it off the sewing machine and hands it to the model to put on as they're walking to the runway. He doesn't even have time to check the results.
Heidi meets the designers on the runway and she has a messy hair thing going on and I really like it. She tells Daniel that he looks really cute with the heart that is on his sweater vest. It's kind of Frida Kahlo. I like it too. She reminds Daniel that he has immunity since he won the last challenge. She introduces Zac Posen, Nina Garcia and says that there is a special guest judge. Who could it be? You know it's some Susan Sarandon, who enters from behind the scrim looking yummy in Diane Von Furstenberg. If it's not DVF, she should sue for copycats. "Ain't she from Thelma and Louise?" asks Richard. Tu says that she has a big booty, but he gestures to the breast area. Susan's chest seems more likely to garner comments than her behind, so I'm just gonna guess that Tu misspoke there, or he just has his own language. Susan says hello and says that she knows it's a challenge to be stylish and practical at the same time, so she's curious to see what they all came up with.
We start the show with Dream Team. First up is Michelle's look, which is adorable. It's this modern, sort of shapeless dress in a dark brown. It's sleeveless with a round, sculptural collar. It's cinched at the waist and has pockets. It's sexy and young without being revealing. Samantha and Tu's look is . It's a black dress and a gray vest over it. The vest is super fitted with a zipper on the front. Samantha made that part. There's a round cut-out on the back, representing the ping-pong ball. There is some sheer action on the front of the dress that peeks out over the top of the zipper. The metal of the zipper and the sheer fabric don't seem to go together to me and it makes it seem as if these pieces shouldn't really be companions. They seem happy with it though and Tu, in particular, says that he feels very lucky to get to work with Samantha. James's look is . It's a guy look and it is gray slacks that end just below the knee and a tank top of white with a block of gray. It's kind of tucked in to hide some construction flaws. The thing about guy clothes though is a proper male model has stuff that pokes out- shoulders, pecs, etc that make it kinda hot when it's body conscious. They don't look like clothes hangers. So, this look is probably made for shit but it's really tight, therefore, it's kinda hot. This dude's body's slamming.
The judges confer. Heidi thought that the kilt was a real mistake. Zac really didn't like the slogan on the front and Heidi agrees that it's tasteless. Nina prefers the outlandish over James's boring look. Heidi reminds everyone that Benjamin had two pieces in the bottom. Zac and Susan agree that Cindy's jacket was generic. Susan had never heard of a skort before! Zac wasn't wild about the vest from Layana and Daniel's look, but Susan thinks that a girl would be identifiable as a server if she were wearing this. Zac says that drop-crotch pants bother him because it looks like something sloppy happened. Heidi laughs at the way he fans his comment card when he says that. Heidi thinks that Richard and Joe really thought outside the box. Susan and Nina really loved the harness. Nina presents that the outfit could work for both guys and girls.
The designers return to the stage. Layana is the winner of the challenge. She hugs Daniel. She says that she can call all of her friends and tell them to go to SPiN to see her uniform. It's sweet how excited she is. She goes backstage and is a little emotional. So, the bottom two are Cindy and James. Wow, so Benjamin got off the hook. Cindy is...in. She thanks everyone and leaves the runway. Poor James. He interviews that he should have taken more control from the beginning. Tim comes in and remarks that the room is very quiet. He tells Dream Team that everything on the runway looked better than it did the day before. So, there's that? James goes to clean up his work space and says that this is just a growing point for him. He just has to work harder to get what he wants.
Jeff Long is a writer/performer in Brooklyn. He can be reached at jeff.long75@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @jblong.